Famous Sikhs

January 14, 2018

Sikhism guide presents famous Sikhs, the Sikh personalities from around the world who have made significant contributions in their respective areas of expertise. Dr. Narinder Kapany is one of the prominent personalities, who is widely acknowledged as the father of fiber-optics and named one of seven ‘Unsung Heroes’ by Fortune magazine in their Businessmen of the Century issue.

Manmohan Singh

Manmohan Singh is an Indian politician who was the thirteenth Prime Minister of India from 2004 to 2014.

Considered to be one of the most influential figures in India’s recent history, because of the economic liberalization he started in 1991 when he was Finance Minister.

The first Sikh to become Prime Minister of India.

Manmohan Singh has a doctorate from Oxford University. He is the most educated Indian Prime Minister in history.

Milkha Singh

Former Indian track and field sprinter.

He is nicknamed The Flying Sikh.

Milkha Singh represented India in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

As of 2013, he is the only Indian male athlete to win an individual athletics gold medal at a Commonwealth Games.

He was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honour, in recognition of his sporting achievements.

The movie Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is based on Milkha Singh’s life.

Waris Ahluwalia

Actor who has played a number of roles in commercials and Hollywood films, including The Life Aquatic and The Inside Man.

Waris is also a popular jewelry designer and owner of the House of Waris jewelry brand.

In 2013 Ahluwalia was featured in a Gap “Make Love” campaign ad.

Fauja Singh

Fauja Singh is a centenarian marathon runner.

He holds a world record as a runner in his age bracket.

In 2011, Fauja Singh became the first 100-year old to finish a marathon.

In 2004 he was featured in an advertising campaign, ‘Nothing Is Impossible’, for sportswear manufacturer Adidas.

While running marathon races in London, New York and Toronto, he raised money for various charities promoting Sikh culture around the world.

Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany

Widely acknowledged as the father of fiber-optics.

Dr. Kapany has over one hundred patents. His research and inventions have encompassed fiber-optics communications, lasers, biomedical instrumentation, solar energy and pollution monitoring.

He is a Fellow of numerous scientific societies including the British Royal Academy of Engineering, the Optical Society of America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Named one of seven ‘Unsung Heroes’ by Fortune magazine in their ‘Businessmen of the Century’ issue.

Khushwant Singh

One of the best-known Indian writers of all times.

He is the best selling author of over 80 books and two weekly columns syndicated in over 40 English publications.

The Library of Congress has ninety-nine works on and by Khushwant Singh.

Khushwant Singh is a recipient of the Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India.

Surinder Kaur

Surinder Kaur (1929–2006) was an Indian singer and songwriter.

She sang mainly Punjabi folk-songs, where she is credited for pioneering and popularising the genre and later was known as the ‘Nightingale of Punjab’.

Surinder Kaur recorded her first song in 1943, which she sang with her elder sister Prakash Kaur.

She recorded more than 2,000 Punjabi songs over her lifetime.

Harbhajan Singh Yogi

Harbhajan Singh Yogi (1929-2004) was also known as Yogi Bhajan and Siri Singh Sahib.

He was a spiritual leader who introduced Kundalini Yoga to the United States.

Yogi Bhajan was influential in helping promote the Sikh tradition in the West. He motivated thousands to embrace the Sikh way of life.

He was the spiritual director of the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) Foundation.

Dara Singh

Dara Singh (1928-2012) was an Indian wrestler turned actor.

He was undefeated in his entire wrestling career.

Dara Singh worked as a Hindi and Punjabi film producer, director and writer, and he acted on film and television.

He was the first sportsman to be nominated to the Rajya Sabha (upper house) of India.